Date: 29/11/2004
Source: Ministry of Public Works
Title: Sigcau: Conference on Women in Property
Speech delivered by Minister of Public Works, Ms Stella Sigcau, MP during the Conference on Women in Property held at the Indaba Hotel Sandton
A few weeks ago we launched the Property Charter process noting as we do today the encouraging enthusiasm with which the stakeholders have taken to the process.
You will note that I have deliberately shied away from prescribing to the stake holders what I want to see come out of the property charter process because I do not want to predetermine the process.
All I can say at this stage is that the Property Charter will gauge the performance of business against set targets, while serving as a strategic framework for effective transformation over the next decade and beyond.
We have stated time and time again that the transformation of this country will be half baked if it excludes the majority. Hence as government we have put in place a battery of legislation in order to create the environment necessary for the achievement of these ideals.
One of these is the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Strategy which has the intent of fully transforming our society from racially based economic development to one based on equal opportunity.
The BBBEE strategy also aims to transform our country from a sexist society to one that treats people in terms of their ability.
Business itself will need to be honest in its intentions. Business needs to decide if their acts of empowerment will ensure that a staircase is truly created between the First and Second economies as described by the President. The First economy remains affluent and mainly white, while the Second is largely black.
The responsibility to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots, rests with all of us, and can only be achieved through the efforts of black and white, man and woman, employed and unemployed.
We are not in the business of spreading the poverty of the Second Economy to the rest of society. We are in the business of assisting in the creation of wealth in the First Economy and spreading that to the entirety of our people. If our staircase were a car, it would have no reverse gear, and would only move forward between the two economies on a one way journey, to the top!
The property charter process will without doubt, kick-start the full scale transformation of the property sector. While I describe this industry in that favourite term of mine as “Pale and Male”, I am happy that there are already BEE transactions which have taken place on a voluntary basis between individuals and groups who see value in each other. Enforced unions do not often last beyond the honey moon stage, while voluntary associations can unleash the potential necessary for sustained growth and development.
Today’s occasion, about Women in Property, presents us a chance to look at the role of women in this sector. At the dawn of democracy in 1994, we used to say that whites could not be free until fellow blacks were free. Men cannot be fully economically liberated until the women of this country are players in the centre of the economy. Our political settlement has not automatically resulted in the economic emancipation, in numbers, of those who were the worst victims of apartheid
Put differently, empowering women presents the greatest opportunity to resolve the challenges not only of ownership but control and management of property companies
Asset poverty is universally acknowledged as being closely connected to underdevelopment. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has identified infrastructure development as integral to poverty alleviation and economic growth.
As owner of easily the largest property portfolio in the Southern hemisphere under the custodianship of the Department of Public Works, our government has committed itself to alleviating asset poverty in our communities.
Individual assets such as land and houses, and public assets like roads infrastructure are crucial to the accumulation of wealth and attracting investment into our communities and country.
As a country we are still trying to reverse the situation. We have managed to build one point six million (1.6million) houses, seven hundred (700) new primary health clinics and settled thirty nine thousands six hundred and eighty seven (39 687) land claims to the total of seven hundred and eighty one thousand six and forty eight (781 648) hectares.
In that period, through the National Department of Public Works, we have spent ten billion Rand (R10 billion) on seven thousand six and ninety two (7 692) construction projects involving national departments. We also spend over R1 billion each year on leases and an equal amount on maintenance.
The spectrum of our activities outlined above illustrates the extent to which as the Department of Public Works we are in a position to leverage change in the property and construction sectors.
This also gives you an idea of where the opportunities lie for both women and black business people in these sectors.
I would like in the next ten years to see marked change in the array of activities related to our core business including the following: property fund managers, property developers, estate agents, valuers, facilities managers, property economists etc.
A shift in ownership to reflect the demographics of the country on its own will however not be achievable unless accompanied by a thorough human resource development programme to acquire and impart skills. Anything less than this will mean we are wasting our time.
Many impediments standing in the way of women entering the property sector are artificially created by our history of patriarchy and have no basis in reality.
I trust that in this conference we will succeed in demystifying some of the myths about the property industry to facilitate entry by women both as owners and managers. This is because there is nothing to convince me that women are genetically incapable of becoming anything, any time, anywhere in the world if given an opportunity.
The purpose of this conference is to facilitate the formation of Women in Property Association along the lines of Women in Construction, Mining etc to be launched early next year.
In this way, women will be able to tap into our resource base for all kinds of support, especially with regard to the opportunities available.
For my department to be able to avail opportunities, other supply side support and relevant information, women interested in participating in this industry must organise themselves into an association. It is of no use only reading about tenders once they are already out on tender because of the time it will take for you to mobilise yourself for effective participation.
To be able to take advantage of opportunities one has to be at the right place at the right time and have information that is relevant and on time.
The second aim of the conference is to deepen knowledge amongst women, of the property business and an understanding of how it works. The conference will also promote business networking because we believe that opportunities do not only emanate from the Department of Public Works or other agencies of state, but also from the private sector.
I hope that amongst us here today there are experts in the property industry, from both public and private sector to share insight with all of us.
I believe that you will deliberate further on opportunities and particularly bridging finance which remains one of the stumbling blocks in this area.
To conclude, let me say that I will not countenance the discrimination of women and blacks that prevails in the property industry.
Women empowerment is an imperative foisted on us all by our apartheid past. In that sense history has charged us with the responsibility to do something about this. We dare not fail.
I wish you well in your discussions.
Thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Public Works
29 November 2004
Source: Ministry of Public Works
Title: Sigcau: Conference on Women in Property
Speech delivered by Minister of Public Works, Ms Stella Sigcau, MP during the Conference on Women in Property held at the Indaba Hotel Sandton
A few weeks ago we launched the Property Charter process noting as we do today the encouraging enthusiasm with which the stakeholders have taken to the process.
You will note that I have deliberately shied away from prescribing to the stake holders what I want to see come out of the property charter process because I do not want to predetermine the process.
All I can say at this stage is that the Property Charter will gauge the performance of business against set targets, while serving as a strategic framework for effective transformation over the next decade and beyond.
We have stated time and time again that the transformation of this country will be half baked if it excludes the majority. Hence as government we have put in place a battery of legislation in order to create the environment necessary for the achievement of these ideals.
One of these is the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Strategy which has the intent of fully transforming our society from racially based economic development to one based on equal opportunity.
The BBBEE strategy also aims to transform our country from a sexist society to one that treats people in terms of their ability.
Business itself will need to be honest in its intentions. Business needs to decide if their acts of empowerment will ensure that a staircase is truly created between the First and Second economies as described by the President. The First economy remains affluent and mainly white, while the Second is largely black.
The responsibility to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots, rests with all of us, and can only be achieved through the efforts of black and white, man and woman, employed and unemployed.
We are not in the business of spreading the poverty of the Second Economy to the rest of society. We are in the business of assisting in the creation of wealth in the First Economy and spreading that to the entirety of our people. If our staircase were a car, it would have no reverse gear, and would only move forward between the two economies on a one way journey, to the top!
The property charter process will without doubt, kick-start the full scale transformation of the property sector. While I describe this industry in that favourite term of mine as “Pale and Male”, I am happy that there are already BEE transactions which have taken place on a voluntary basis between individuals and groups who see value in each other. Enforced unions do not often last beyond the honey moon stage, while voluntary associations can unleash the potential necessary for sustained growth and development.
Today’s occasion, about Women in Property, presents us a chance to look at the role of women in this sector. At the dawn of democracy in 1994, we used to say that whites could not be free until fellow blacks were free. Men cannot be fully economically liberated until the women of this country are players in the centre of the economy. Our political settlement has not automatically resulted in the economic emancipation, in numbers, of those who were the worst victims of apartheid
Put differently, empowering women presents the greatest opportunity to resolve the challenges not only of ownership but control and management of property companies
Asset poverty is universally acknowledged as being closely connected to underdevelopment. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has identified infrastructure development as integral to poverty alleviation and economic growth.
As owner of easily the largest property portfolio in the Southern hemisphere under the custodianship of the Department of Public Works, our government has committed itself to alleviating asset poverty in our communities.
Individual assets such as land and houses, and public assets like roads infrastructure are crucial to the accumulation of wealth and attracting investment into our communities and country.
As a country we are still trying to reverse the situation. We have managed to build one point six million (1.6million) houses, seven hundred (700) new primary health clinics and settled thirty nine thousands six hundred and eighty seven (39 687) land claims to the total of seven hundred and eighty one thousand six and forty eight (781 648) hectares.
In that period, through the National Department of Public Works, we have spent ten billion Rand (R10 billion) on seven thousand six and ninety two (7 692) construction projects involving national departments. We also spend over R1 billion each year on leases and an equal amount on maintenance.
The spectrum of our activities outlined above illustrates the extent to which as the Department of Public Works we are in a position to leverage change in the property and construction sectors.
This also gives you an idea of where the opportunities lie for both women and black business people in these sectors.
I would like in the next ten years to see marked change in the array of activities related to our core business including the following: property fund managers, property developers, estate agents, valuers, facilities managers, property economists etc.
A shift in ownership to reflect the demographics of the country on its own will however not be achievable unless accompanied by a thorough human resource development programme to acquire and impart skills. Anything less than this will mean we are wasting our time.
Many impediments standing in the way of women entering the property sector are artificially created by our history of patriarchy and have no basis in reality.
I trust that in this conference we will succeed in demystifying some of the myths about the property industry to facilitate entry by women both as owners and managers. This is because there is nothing to convince me that women are genetically incapable of becoming anything, any time, anywhere in the world if given an opportunity.
The purpose of this conference is to facilitate the formation of Women in Property Association along the lines of Women in Construction, Mining etc to be launched early next year.
In this way, women will be able to tap into our resource base for all kinds of support, especially with regard to the opportunities available.
For my department to be able to avail opportunities, other supply side support and relevant information, women interested in participating in this industry must organise themselves into an association. It is of no use only reading about tenders once they are already out on tender because of the time it will take for you to mobilise yourself for effective participation.
To be able to take advantage of opportunities one has to be at the right place at the right time and have information that is relevant and on time.
The second aim of the conference is to deepen knowledge amongst women, of the property business and an understanding of how it works. The conference will also promote business networking because we believe that opportunities do not only emanate from the Department of Public Works or other agencies of state, but also from the private sector.
I hope that amongst us here today there are experts in the property industry, from both public and private sector to share insight with all of us.
I believe that you will deliberate further on opportunities and particularly bridging finance which remains one of the stumbling blocks in this area.
To conclude, let me say that I will not countenance the discrimination of women and blacks that prevails in the property industry.
Women empowerment is an imperative foisted on us all by our apartheid past. In that sense history has charged us with the responsibility to do something about this. We dare not fail.
I wish you well in your discussions.
Thank you.
Issued by: Ministry of Public Works
29 November 2004
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